Yuushien

On the island of Daikon-shima in the middle of Shimane’s Lake Nakaumi, you’ll find Yuushien, an exquisite and enchanting traditional Japanese garden home to two hundred and fifty varieties of Japanese peonies as well as a rainbow of other seasonal flowers. Blooming with splendor all year round and featuring illumination in the fall and winter months, it’s an ideal romantic destination in any season.

You’ll quickly lose yourself in wonder as you begin down the winding path that takes you around and through the vast, verdant garden, with its spacious ponds, fountains and waterfalls, traditional Japanese lanterns and more. The landscape has been masterfully crafted to capture the essence of Shimane and its culture, such with a waterfall modeled after the one from the myth of Yamato-no-orochi, the eight-headed dragon.

In the Peony House, you can view large, gorgeous peonies throughout the year, regardless of the weather or season. Ready for a rest? Stop by one of the three restaurants for a piping hot cup of tea or delicious Japanese cuisine incorporating local ingredients. The island of Daikon-shima is also famous for producing some of the world’s finest quality ginseng—a root with numerous medicinal properties. The restaurants at Yuushien offer a wide variety of food and beverages made with ginseng, meaning that a trip here will truly nourish both body and soul.

Getting ThereFrom Izumo Airport, take a shuttle bus to JR Matsue Station (about thirty minutes). Yuushien Garden is about a twenty-five minute drive from the station (local buses also run from the station to Yuushien).

Hours:
Yuushien Garden is open seven days a week, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Closing hours are extended on select days from November through January for illumination. Inquire or see the homepage for further details.)

Admission:
Admission is 700 yen for adults, and 350 yen for junior and senior high school students. Discounts are available for groups of twenty or more. A season pass can be purchased for 1400 yen.

Reservations & Services

JAL Japan Explorer Pass

JAL Japan Explorer Pass is a simple and low cost fare for travelers wishing to explore the unique culture and feel of local Japan. The fare can be used to access over 30 cities across JAL’s domestic network.